A/N – Andie & Emily, thanks for the review I hope it didn't scare you too much ;) I'll try and restrain it next time for you Andie! (although the evil bees part scared me so now we're even!)

Any ideas on this fic don't hesitate to let me know – I still don't know where the story's going, once I start typing it just doesn't seem to stop!

"Dude where the hell have you been? Everyone's been asking where you are including Coach Orion" Fulton scolded Portman when he made it to the room they shared.

"Why should anyone care where I've been?" Portman grumbled pushing past Fulton and grabbing some clean clothes and a towel. He was dying for a hot shower.

"Julie was looking for you" Fulton tried a different tactic. It had the desired effect. Portman stopped doing what he was doing and turned to stare at Fulton.

"She was?" he asked surprised. He was sure she'd never speak to him again after last night.

Fulton nodded "Yeah" he said unaware he was giving Portman a funny look.

"What's that look for?" Portman questioned dreading the worst. "She told you didn't she?" he added.

Fulton nodded again "What the hell got into you?" he said sounding more fierce than he intended to.

Portman was taken aback. "What do you mean "what the hell got into me"? That stupid asshole Rick Riley was going to do god knows what to her. Don't tell me you wouldn't have done the same thing cos I know you would" he was almost shouting now.

"Dude keep your voice down" Fulton hushed. "You really scared her man. She was shaking as she told me what happened. Did you really have to go that far?"

Portman could feel the hurt and guilt rising inside. "I wish I hadn't" he said softly turning away from Fulton and heading into the bathroom.

Fulton stared at the closed door where Portman had been standing a second ago. I wish I hadn't his words echoed inside his head.

He shook his head Damn it Portman. What's going on with you? He wondered. His friend had never been so angry and violent before, not even when something was directed at him. He'd never gone so far for anyone before so why do it for Julie?

The answer's simple Fulton, he's in love with her.

…………………………………………

"You did what?" Connie asked Julie amazed. When she'd seen her at breakfast this morning she had been as white as a ghost and shaking like a leaf. Now Julie was telling her she'd actually gone to his dorm to see him. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"So you're ready to forgive him?" Connie pressed on when Julie didn't say anything.

After a few moments of silence Julie finally spoke "I don't know" she whispered feeling the tears well up in her eyes.

"What did Fulton say?" Connie gently pushed on.

"He was just as shocked as I was" Julie admitted.

"I bet. Julie, there's something I should probably tell you" Connie started. Julie had a right to know about how awful Portman was feeling about the whole thing.

"What is it? Does everyone know that its my fault Riley got beaten up?" Julie had a panicked look on her face.

"No Jules, calm down. Its about Portman. I kinda found him this morning" Connie began.

"What do you mean "found him"?" Julie was confused.

"It means just that, I found him outside in the snow. It looks like he spent the night out there. He looked awful" Connie explained carefully searching her friend's face for emotion.

Julie looked down at her hands. "I know he didn't mean to go that far Connie. It's just that……." She paused trying to think of what to say.

"……its just that you can't help but feel scared knowing what he's capable of?" Connie finished for her.

Julie nodded "yeah, exactly" feeling relieved that someone understood her.